A trainer from Central Queensland and a jockey with his roots in South Australia will chase Gold Coast glory on March 14 with a horse bred on the Darling Downs.
Rockhampton-based Angela Stephens has the natty Lepreezy (Better Than Ready-Licenced To Chill-Choisir) primed to make an impact in the $300,000 TAB QTIS Jewel (1200m).
According to a stable spokesman, Stephens thinks the filly is "as ready as ever" for her race of reckoning in what will be her 11th day at the races.
"She's won six times and been placed in another three races but in at least two of those there were real excuses," the spokesman said.
"With better luck she would be going into this race with an even better record.
"She has travelled down well and is going to give this a real shake. The filly always gives 100 percent."
Senior jockey John Stephens, husband of the trainer, has ridden Lepreezy in nine of of the filly's 10 outings so far and would have been aboard for the Coast assignment but for ill luck a month ago when he broke his heel.
Girish Goomany substituted for John Stephens on Lepreezy in the filly's most recent appointment, a smart win over 1100 metres in Mackay on February 22.
She has never been tested at the distance of the Jewel but has been strong towards the end of 1100m in the past, which has given the stable confidence.
Group 1 winning jockey Joe Bowditch will be riding Lepreezy for the first time.
He and John Stephens know each other well and they have already discussed Lepreezy's racing manners.
"There's no point telling Joe what to do. He is one of the best in the business and this filly will try her heart out in any case," John Stephens said.
"We are really happy to have Joe riding her. Horses just run for him and here's hoping they go round safely and can have their share of luck and be in the finish."
Lepreezy is a first crop daughter of Better Than Ready, the More Than Ready stallion standing at the Kruger's famed Lyndhurst Stud on the Downs.
Father and daughter training team Tony and Maddysen Sears will have the rugby world on their side when The Raging Pole (Better Than Ready-Touchy-Untouchable) contests the Jewel.
Named for the late Stan Pilecki, a no-nonsense barnstorming forward for Western Districts Bulldogs, Queensland and Australia in his rugby playing days, the Raging Pole will be ridden by Luke Tarrant after regular hoop Michael Cahill chose a competitor.
The Raging Pole is raced by some members of Pilecki's family.
"They will all know he's in the race," Tony Sears said.
"He is as tough as they come and I could not be any happier with him. His work up here in Toowoomba has been first rate and if the rain hangs around even better because he loves it when there is some cut in the ground."
Another Toowoomba runner, Gem Of Scotland, to be ridden by James Orman, is the early favourite and trainer Rex Lipp is already thinking of winter carnival tests for the filly.
Lipp believes Gem Of Scotland could be among the best horses he has trained, Queensland Oaks winner Tinto included.
Gem Of Scotland (Rothesay-Star Of Kristie-General Nediym) has won six times in nine starts and earned $415,000 in stakesmoney and bonuses. She has not raced since winning over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm in early October.
However, she is unbeaten when resuming from a break.
Master Jamie, Le Palmier and The Tyler are early scratchings, allowing emergencies Getyourgreyon and Replication to obtain a start.
The track condition was rated a heavy 10 early on March 13.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
